Swedish Shorts 1: The Best of Northern Sweden

Scrolling. Thumb and brain feeling tired, anyone? Finding it harder to focus than before? A young woman decides to tackle it all with noise therapy. TV static, that is. It may turn out to be more complicated than she expected. An intense and committed take on a subject that often feels like it’s running on autopilot.

Ellen unexpectedly drops in on Bengt. It’s a powerful reunion. So powerful that they need to escape their feelings for a while and listen to East German punk on cassette. The fact that Lukas Moodysson (screenplay) and Viktor Johansson are making a film together is a match made in heaven. And perhaps not so surprising, given that both have alternated between filmmaking and writing throughout their careers.

There is an art to telling the story of life-changing events in just a few words. Shock, bottomless grief, a memory etched for life – but also a gentle embrace and the tiniest sliver of light somewhere in the pitch darkness. A hope for tomorrow, albeit under new circumstances. All in two minutes.

A charged father-son drama in which Jimmy Lindström and Ludvig Deltin deliver strong performances in the lead roles. An alcohol-fuelled drive through the darkness as a son picks up his father after a night out. The father’s comments quickly take a confrontational and emotionally charged turn.

In the fascinating world of reindeer herding, we meet Ebba, who takes on the role of team leader after her grandfather. Once a year, when the night never falls dark, it is time to mark the calves. History, heritage, knowledge and passion come together in this warm and down-to-earth portrait of a young reindeer herder.

Few twelve-year-olds want to stand out or be different. Hanna was born with limb difference and has only two fingers on one hand – a stigma that makes her insecure and the target of bullying. Her mother fights some of the battles, not least against Hanna’s own thoughts, but more is needed to break the pattern.

Liselotte Wajstedt continues to explore Sámi culture through film, this time venturing into the Sámi spiritual parallel world of Sáivu. A nonlinear space for reflection, where evocative music and dreamlike imagery create a poetic journey through identity, memory and transformation.

Fifteen-year-old Vera tries to navigate the digital rollercoaster of love. What does Leo really want? IRL, he’s her neighbour, but on the phone, he blocks her on and off. The performances and dialogue between Vera (Eva Blag) and Moa (Kiwi Casslind) are spot on. We get a wonderful glimpse into their little corner of the world.